Home
User Interface
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a Graphical User Interface generally known as the client workspace. This interface appears when you launch Simcenter STAR-CCM+ interactively.
Simulation Assistants
A Simulation Assistant provides a visual workflow within the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface (UI).
The Simulation Assistant User Interface
Tasks
Tasks are hierarchical groups of steps that you perform in a simulation.

Share

Link: copied

Breadcrumb: copied

User Interface
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a Graphical User Interface generally known as the client workspace. This interface appears when you launch Simcenter STAR-CCM+ interactively.
- Using the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Workspace
  This chapter shows you how to use the various components of Simcenter STAR-CCM+, with a focus on the user interface.
- What Are the Important Concepts?
  This section presents the key concepts you come across when using Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Working with Simulation Objects
  Objects are the key components of Simcenter STAR-CCM+. They represent various aspects of a simulation and have properties that you can set as required for your particular problem.
- Automation
  The Automation node provides easy access to a number of frequently used automated processes.
- Expressions
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you can define property values using expressions, which you write using a function language that is a subset of the C programming language. Expressions can define mathematical expressions or perform other operations, such as interpolating tabular data from XY tables in the simulation.
- Global Parameters
  Global parameters include scalar and vector physical quantities (for example, 120.0 K or [0.0, 1.0, 0.0] m) that can be defined once and used in multiple objects. Another type of global parameter is a file, currently used for the Replace Parts operation in Geometry > Operations and in Design Manager.
- Field Functions
  Field functions allow you to access fields (scalar or vector data that are evaluated at cells, vertices, or boundary faces) in Simcenter STAR-CCM+. You can use field functions to visualize the computed fields, to specify boundary and region values, or to define initial conditions.
- Engineering Units
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ has flexible and customizable support for engineering units. The standard SI and USCS systems are built in, and you can add new units as desired. Physical quantities can be specified and displayed in any of these units. Individual quantities can be specified with new units on the fly by simply typing something like “80 mph”.
- Simulation Operations
  Simulation operations allow you to automate the solution processes in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ without using Java macros. Condition and loop operations provide the basic logic control common to many programming languages.
- Staged Physics
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, staged physics allows you to store multiple configurations of physics settings and apply them in sequence during a simulation. Simulation operations provide the framework in which physics stages are applied.
- Working with Volume Shapes
  A volume shape is a closed geometric figure that can be shaped as a block, cone, cylinder, or sphere.
- Simulation Guide
  The simulation guide is a single embedded document that you can edit within a simulation file. This document can contain formatted text, tables, images, and hyperlinks to nodes in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ object tree or external web resources.
- Template Simulation Files
  Template simulation files allow you to define pre-configured setups for use in new simulations. When used in conjunction with query-based selection, template files present a powerful technique for automating repeat analyses on similar geometries.
- Scripting the Application
  Scripting allows you to work more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks.
- Working with User Code
  User code allows Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to be customized with functions written in a compiled language such as C, C++ or Fortran.
- Working with the Plugins Manager
  The Plugins Manager makes it possible to install and manage NetBeans modules for Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Simulation Assistants
  A Simulation Assistant provides a visual workflow within the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface (UI).
  - The Simulation Assistant User Interface
    - Tasks
      Tasks are hierarchical groups of steps that you perform in a simulation.
    - Collapsible Information
      Collapsible information contains additional information that is hidden by default in the assistant.
    - Object Tree Focus
      Simulation assistants can provide an object tree focus—that is, when you click a step, the relevant node in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ object tree expands and is highlighted.
    - Conditions
      Conditions add an extra layer of control and guidance to the assistant, and act as a safeguard when you move between tasks. In the Simulation Assistant, conditions are represented by tabs in each task panel.
  - Setting Up a Simulation Assistant Project in NetBeans
    To develop Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Simulation Assistants, it is recommended that you use an IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
  - Developing a Simulation Assistant
    A Simulation Assistant is a user-defined panel within the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface. The panel is intended to provide a series of tasks that a user completes in sequence.
- Wizard Guide
  This part of the documentation illustrates how Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is used for special application tools and projects.

Tasks

Tasks are hierarchical groups of steps that you perform in a simulation.

For example, a task could contain the steps for setting up a physics continuum. In the Simulation Assistant, each task is represented in a separate panel, called the Task Panel.

A task can contain any number of steps which are related to the task. Typically, the steps are list items which contain a combination of plain text and hyperlinks that are linked to an action. These actions are known as Star Actions, and can drive any operation in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ User Interface. Clicking on Star Actions typically causes a change in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation. A Star Action can also execute code written by the author of the Simulation Assistant. The code can interact with Simcenter STAR-CCM+ User Interface elements or the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ API. The task is disabled while a Star Action executes. Star Actions appear as hyperlinks in steps.

Tasks can contain conditions, which determine when a task is ready to use, or when a task is complete. If tasks do not have conditions, you are best to follow a top-to-bottom approach through the workflow, without moving backwards and forwards between the tasks.

You can control which tasks and sub-tasks are visible in the assistant by expanding and collapsing them.

To expand a task:

Click (or anywhere else) in the task panel that you want to expand. The selected task expands.

To collapse a task:

Click (or anywhere else) in the task panel that you want to collapse. The selected task collapses.

Sub-Tasks

Sub-tasks are tasks that are nested under a single task. Typically, sub-tasks are groups of steps that are related to the parent task.

Steps and Star Actions

Steps and Star Actions appear in tasks and are the smallest unit in the Simulation Assistant.

A step is typically represented as a bullet point, or a numbered item, and is expected to perform a single action. A step can also contain a description of what the user must do.